Classical Greek comedy evolved dramatically throughout its existence, and researchers who typically analyze the area acknowledge two separate eras of Greek comedy. “The Humanities Through the Arts” by Jacobus and Martin (2013) is a comprehensive overview of the arts across various disciplines, including literature, music, theater, and visual arts. In the text, the authors discuss Old Comedy and New Comedy as two types of Greek comedy that developed during different periods of ancient Greek history (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). Various features are related to each other in the old and new comedies, although there are also several significant differences in each comedy.
As the title suggests, Old Comedy indeed preceded New Comedy. Old Comedy, also known as Aristophanic comedy, emerged in the 5th century before the Common Era (BCE) and was characterized by its satire, political commentary, and absurd and fantastical elements (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). The plays of Old Comedy often included large choruses, musical numbers, and exaggerated and ridiculous characters, and they often lampooned political figures and current events. Old Comedy was named after the playwright Aristophanes, who was considered one of the most significant representatives of the genre (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). His plays, such as “The Clouds,” which satirizes the philosophers of the time, and “The Birds,” are known for their use of political commentary on social issues, as well as their absurd and fantastical elements (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). Old Comedy was also known for using stock characters, such as the clever enslaved person, the greedy businessman, and the foolish young man, who served as foils for the main characters. This meant that it featured elements of burlesque and farce and used obscene and vulgar language and imagery for comedic effect.
On the other hand, New Comedy emerged after the Old Comedy. It arose in the 4th century BCE and was characterized by its focus on domestic themes and everyday life (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). New Comedy plays often featured characters from all levels of society, including slaves and merchants, and they often centered on themes of love, marriage, and family relationships. New Comedy plays were also known for using stock characters and plot conventions, such as the “mistaken identity” plot (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). One of the most famous representatives of New Comedy was the playwright Menander, whose plays, such as “The Twin Brothers” and “The Girl from Samos,” are known for their focus on everyday life and their use of stock characters and plot conventions (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). New Comedy was generally less satirical and political than Old Comedy and focused on entertaining audiences through humor and light-hearted storytelling.
In terms of style and content, Old Comedy and New Comedy differed significantly. Old Comedy was known for its use of satire and political commentary, as well as its absurd and fantastical elements (Jacobus & Martin, 2013). It was often used as a platform to criticize social and political issues of the time. In contrast, New Comedy focused on domestic themes and everyday life, using stock characters and plot conventions to create humorous and entertaining plays.
Overall, Old Comedy and New Comedy were essential and influential forms of Greek comedy that contributed to Western theater and literature development. They both used comedy conventions and techniques, such as character exaggeration and plot conventions, to create humorous and entertaining plays. Both styles of humor have a large number of stereotyped or classic protagonists. The new comedies extensively use archetypal figures, which are typical personalities that one would assume to see in a play. Despite their differences, both Old and New Comedies continue to be studied and admired for their enduring themes and artistic merit.
Reference
Jacobus, L. & Martin, C. F. (2013). The Humanities Through the Arts (13th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.